Maguire expresses discontent with referees despite winning

In the world of the NRL, it appears to be something we hear more and more of – and despite his side winning the game, the talking point for Souths coach Michael Maguire, was that of two disallowed tries by video referee, Sean Hampstead.

Despite winning a closely contested affair 22-18 over the Gold Coast Titans, Maguire felt that there were two decisions, both obstruction calls, that went against his side.

“I think coaches over the past few weeks have emphasised everything about the refs and there were obviously some interesting ones out there again,” the Rabbitohs coach said.

“I’ll go through the right channels and talk to them about it.

“I just hope at some stage it doesn’t hurt us.”

The Titans also had a try disallowed, due to an apparent push by back-rower Luke O’Dwyer, with captain and halfback Scott Prince believing that the ball went forward off Souths back-rower in a similar decision that went in favour of the Bunnies, in Chris McQueen.

“I thought I had it covered,” said Prince when asked if there was a deflection.

Titans coach John Cartwright, who has been irritated at referees in the past, was rather quiet on the matter this time around – following a memo he received about what can and cannot be said, in relation to NRL referees.

“I don’t even know what I can say to be honest with you,” he said.

“I’d rather not talk about the refs, they’re coping a hard time as it is.”